Auto News and Information

After a meeting with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, has introduced legislation that would reduce federal funding for states that do not ban texting while driving. However, many families who have lost members because of distracted drivers say this is not enough. Drunken drivers face very stiff penalties, as they should. Read on! →

The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Mich., is reopening after an extended period of renovation to unfold a tale of America’s obsession with the automobile. Beginning Jan. 29, the exhibition “Driving America” will open to the public. The $8 million project marks the first major overhaul of the museum in 25 years, said Henry Ford Read on! →

The White House wants to impose stiffer penalties for automakers who delay reporting defects to avoid costly recalls. Republicans and automakers say the increased fines are excessive. Current fines ‘a pittance’ The administrator of the National Traffic safety Administration, David Strickland, said Thursday that the current maximum fine levied against automakers — $17 million — Read on! →

This is an exciting time for gear heads with a taste for innovation. New concepts and technologies seem to appear almost on a daily basis. But with innovation come more choices. Consumers can choose from gasoline engines, electric engines or their offspring, the hybrid. A new concept from a Romanian design team could relieve that Read on! →

René Lalique’s elegant act-deco glass hood ornaments are considered the crown jewelry of collectible automotive accessories. Collectors will soon have a rare opportunity to bid on a complete set of 30 Lalique “mascots.” Could fetch a million or more RM Auctions is handling the sale, which will take place on March 10 in Florida as Read on! →

Results of the most recent iteration of the J.D. Power automotive reliability study have been released, and Ford and General Motors are sitting pretty, reports the Detroit Free Press. Four of the top 10 brands listed in the J.D. Power and Associates study belong to Ford or General Motors. Overall, the level of automotive reliability Read on! →

Mercedes-Benz averaged 43 hours of production time per vehicle in 2008, and the German luxury automaker would like to cut that average significantly by 2015, reports Automotive News. By that year, Mercedes-Benz would like to have restructured its global production network so that 30 hours of production time per vehicle is the norm. Mercedes-Benz to Read on! →

Rising gas prices are seen by some as an ill-timed threat to U.S. automakers just as the industry appears to have recovered from the recession. Shortly after U.S. automakers reported double-digit sales gains for February, gas prices rose 22 percent higher than the same time a year before. But analysts suggest that the U.S. auto Read on! →

Car Deal Expert reported Thursday that GM had once again overtaken Toyota as the world’s largest automaker. However, Volkswagen is crying foul, saying its numbers are not all in, and that it intends to steal the crown for itself. GM top dog for nearly 80 years GM held the top annual spot for vehicles sold Read on! →

If you are a student, make sure you don’t leave that fact out when you apply for an online auto loan. Not all lenders give discounts to students, but some do, so if you are in college make sure you tell that to your lender. If you can provide proof that you are in school, Read on! →